Читать книгу Ecology - Michael Begon - Страница 47

We have seen that temperature as a condition affects the rate at which organisms develop. It may also act as a stimulus, determining whether or not the organism starts its development at all. For instance, for many species of temperate, arctic and alpine herbs, a period of chilling or freezing (or even of alternating high and low temperatures) is necessary before germination will occur. A cold experience (physiological evidence that winter has passed) is required before the plant can start on its cycle of growth and development. Temperature may also interact with other stimuli (e.g. photoperiod) to break dormancy and so time the onset of growth. The seeds of the birch (Betula pubescens) require a photoperiodic stimulus (i.e. experience of a particular regime of day length) before they will germinate, but if the seed has been chilled it starts growth without a light stimulus.